What was the Aztec Triple Alliance formed in 1428?
The Aztec Triple Alliance
La Triple Alianza mexica
1428. In 1428 the Mexica ruler Itzcóatl, urged on by his nephew Tlacaélel, rebelled against the Tepanec overlords of Azcapotzalco together with Nezahualcóyotl of…
Where: Mexico, Mexico City
What happened
In 1428 the Mexica ruler Itzcóatl, urged on by his nephew Tlacaélel, rebelled against the Tepanec overlords of Azcapotzalco together with Nezahualcóyotl of Texcoco. After a four-month siege Azcapotzalco fell, and the victors, Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and the smaller Tepanec city of Tlacopan, formed the Triple Alliance that Europeans would call the Aztec Empire. The three shared the tribute of conquered towns, but Tenochtitlan soon dominated and its ruler became the huey tlatoani, the 'great speaker'. Itzcóatl is also said to have burned the old histories so that the Mexica past could be rewritten in their favour. Over the next ninety years the alliance extracted cacao, cotton, feathers and captives from much of central Mexico, until Cortés and his native allies destroyed it in 1521.
Say it
Tenochtitlan, Texcoco y Tlacopan formaron una alianza en 1428.
Tenochtitlan, Texcoco and Tlacopan formed an alliance in 1428.
Why it matters
The alliance built the empire whose capital, language and foods the Spaniards took over: Nahuatl gave Spanish chocolate, tomate, aguacate, chile and hundreds of other words.
Read about it
- Tenochtitlan — Tenochtitlan
- El cacao de los aztecas — The Aztecs' Cacao
- Las palabras del náhuatl — Words from Nahuatl
Connected
- The Mexica found Tenochtitlan (c. 1325)
- The Mexica found Tenochtitlan (c. 1325)
- Before: The Mexica found Tenochtitlan
- After: Cortés meets Moctezuma
Sources
- Aztec Civilization — World History Encyclopedia
- Itzcóatl — EBSCO Research Starters
- Tenochtitlan — National Geographic Society – Education